Below: Selecting work for an exhibition is a serious business, as the faces of my two companions bear witness. TJ Bateson (centre) curator of the show and Tacit Contemporary Art's director, Keith Lawrence (right) and I snapped by Shane Jones during their recent visit to the Ballarat studio.

Below: TJ Bateson and Keith Lawrence, still deep in thought as the
selection process continues. Shane Jones is on the left lending moral support.

Below: The smiles on our faces reflect what a pleasant and productive visit
it was.Photo by Shane Jones.

Every year Shane Jonesand I faithfully attend MIFF and eagerly look forward to it. Until now,
however, I have limited myself to an eMini Pass, sometimes two. (A mini passholder can select up to 13 films).

This year my wish list was so long (and growing at an alarming rate) that upgrading to MIFF membership and a Festival
Passport was the only logical step. I must admit that it’s something I’ve
wanted to do for a very long while. When MIFF comes along, though, I invariably find myself so swamped
with work, I feel I can't spare any extra time. This year was no exception, but I was also exhausted and desperately
needed some time out. For a film buff, what better way to
spend it? The Festival Passport gave me unlimited access to the untold cinematic
riches of MIFF 2016. Heaven! My main challenge
(and it was a considerable one) was to not to overdo it. I think most festival goers
would agree that this and keeping up energy levels are challenges common to us all.

Immediately following
my first film, After the Storm, I
bumped into veteran Festival Passport holder Des Cowley and excitedly told him of my
upgrade. He foretold that I “will never be able to go back” to a mini pass and by the end of my first day, I knew he was right.

Gracia and Louise, with whom I spent many happy hours in the dark, enjoy restorative coffees at Collins Place prior to
the screening of The Death of Louis XIV, the last of several films we saw together.

Despite continued efforts by us and fellow Passport holders Gracia and Louise to persuade, nay, shame, Shane to joining me in an upgrade, he doggedly stuck to his humble eMini Pass. Shane did, however, purchase single tickets to additional sessions,
including Little Men, Kedi and Girlfriends, all of which have made the very long ‘shortlist’ of MIFF favourites that presently follows.

The Forum cinema, where I saw the majority of this year's movies, is unquestionably
my favourite MIFF venue

The Blackhearts Club (former stalls area of the Forum) where Shane and I relaxed in between movies

Jazz musician Mark Fitzgibbon, was the Blackhearts Club pianist in residence. What a superb musician he is.
Shane and I often called in just to hear him play.

Fine films, friends and music aside (see above photo) for Shane
and I the highlight of MIFF 2016 (if not the entire year) was David Stratton in conversation with British director Terence Davies at Victorian College of
the Arts on 31 July. His movie Sunset Song was screened at MIFF and put simply, is a masterpiece. The following photograph was snapped from our front row seats. We
even got to meet Mr. Davies afterwards. As longtime admirers of the man and his
work, it’s a memory we’ll treasure forever.

L-R: Terence Davies and David Stratton

Without further delay, here is my unapologetically long list of personal favourites (28 films shortlisted from the 52 that helped make this my best MIFF ever). To learn more about the films, click on individual titles.

Saturday, August 6, 2016

My latest
unnatural history painting (pictured above) introduces Christmas
Beetle Woman, a recently discovered homo-insecta which evolved from Anoplognathus chloropyrus, one
of Australia’s most striking Christmas beetles. As their name implies, these beetles are
most prevalent around Christmas time. This particular species and sub-species flourishes in the
Murray-Darling basin, the Great Dividing Range and coastal areas of Queensland,
New South Wales and Victoria.

Christmas Beetle Woman may have emerged a tad early for Christmas, but was completed
in the nick of time for Christmas in July. It’s taken until now to post these
images, however, as late July also marked the beginning of the 2016 Melbourne
International Film Festival, which I’ve been attending a daily basis. (In fact, this was posted in between screenings).

About me

I am a visual artist who makes paintings, drawings, prints and book art. In 2009 I founded Moth Woman Press, through which I publish my zines and limited edition books, beginning with ‘There was once… The collected fairy tales’, a small anthology of thirteen original stories illustrated with my prints, paintings and drawings. Currently I divide my time between Melbourne and Ballarat in South Western Victoria.